China hails upcoming North Korean special envoy’s visit to Russia

November 14, 2014, 11:51 UTC+3BEIJING"China and North Korea maintain good relations at all levels, we support North Korea in expanding international cooperation," says China’s Foreign Ministry’s official spokesman Hong Lei

BEIJING, November 14. /TASS/. Beijing welcomes the next week’s visit of special envoy of North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, Choe Ryong Hae, to Russia, China’s Foreign Ministry’s official spokesman Hong Lei said on Friday.

“China and North Korea maintain good relations at all levels. We support North Korea in expanding international cooperation,” the Chinese diplomat said in a statement.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said during the November 17-24 visit, Choe, the Workers' Party of Korea secretary, is to discuss topical issues of bilateral ties, including “increasing the level of political dialogue and ways to boost trade and economic cooperation.”

The talks will also focus on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asia region. Besides, the parties will consider “some international issues of mutual interest.” After leaving Moscow, Choe is expected to travel to Khabarovsk and Vladivostok, in Russia’s Far East.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) earlier confirmed the plans for the visit, which it said comes amid speculation that North Korea's ties with China are not like before and Pyongyang has instead sought to improve relations with Moscow.